23-3-2024 (MOSCOW) Multiple assailants unleashed a devastating attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue complex near Moscow on Friday, leaving a trail of death and destruction in their wake. The harrowing incident has claimed the lives of at least 70 individuals, while a staggering 145 others have been hospitalised, their conditions ranging from critical to stable.
The assault unfolded with chilling precision as the armed attackers stormed the venue, brandishing guns and wielding incendiary devices. Within moments, the once-vibrant concert hall was transformed into a scene of chaos and terror, as the assailants unleashed a barrage of gunfire and explosive devices, engulfing the complex in flames and thick, billowing smoke.
Amidst the mayhem, a courageous woman demonstrated remarkable presence of mind, employing a daring ruse to evade the clutches of the assailants. Feigning death, she collapsed to the ground, convincing her attackers of her demise. Seizing the opportunity presented by the thick smoke, she skilfully navigated her way towards the exit, ultimately escaping to safety and bearing witness to the horrors that had unfolded.
Hombre salva a su amigo y lo mueve alrededor de la columna para no ser asesinados por los terroristas dentro del Crocus City Hall de Moscú, Rusia. #Rusia #Moscú @crocuscityhall pic.twitter.com/URYqDaBTt6
— Quinta Fuerza (@QuintaFuerzaMX) March 23, 2024
In a grim discovery that further underscores the magnitude of the tragedy, emergency responders stumbled upon a restroom within the complex, where they found the lifeless bodies of over ten individuals, victims of the senseless violence.
The Islamic extremist organisation ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack, issuing a statement through its affiliated news agency Amaq on the encrypted messaging platform Telegram. However, the group has yet to provide substantiating evidence to corroborate their claim, leaving authorities and the public grappling with unanswered questions in the wake of this devastating act of terror.
Disturbing video footage captured from the site of the attack paints a harrowing picture, depicting the sprawling Crocus City Hall complex engulfed in flames, with thick plumes of smoke billowing into the air. The concert venue, which also houses a shopping centre, suffered significant structural damage, with reports from the state-run RIA Novosti news agency indicating that a portion of the roof had partially collapsed.
According to eyewitness accounts, the armed assailants unleashed a barrage of gunfire and threw a grenade or incendiary bomb, igniting the outbreak of a fire that rapidly consumed the premises. After the assault, the attackers allegedly fled the scene in a white Renault car, leaving a trail of chaos and destruction in their wake.
The incident unfolded just moments before the renowned Russian rock band, Picnic, was scheduled to take the stage for a highly anticipated performance. Fortunately, the band members and their entourage escaped unharmed, though the traumatic events will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on their lives.
The Russia Prosecutor General’s Office has confirmed that unidentified individuals, clad in camouflage attire, forcibly entered Crocus City Hall and initiated the shooting spree prior to the concert’s commencement, as reported by the state-run TASS news agency.
